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ESPN.com's 2000 NBA mock draft
ESPN.com
Moderator: You've read our series of NBA mock drafts and daily draft doses from ESPN.com's Andy Katz. But with the 2000 NBA draft fast approaching, it was time for one final mock draft.
Katz did just that Tuesday night from Minneapolis, making a new pick every five minutes -- the same amount of time each team will have to make their first-round picks Wednesday.
Below is the transcript of ESPN.com's mock draft, with user questions sprinkled in throughout the 29 picks.
| 1. NETS |
SELECTION |
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PF Kenyon Martin, 6-9, Sr., Cincinnati
With the first pick in the 2000 NBA draft, the New Jersey Nets select...Kenyon Martin from the University of Cincinnati. Hopefully I haven't missed any of David Stern's opening statement. The Nets haven't been able to close the deal on a trade.
Jayson Williams is gone and the Nets need a low-post scorer. Martin told me Tuesday that he can see himself as the low-post threat the Nets have been missing. He said he can run with Stephon Marbury on the break and would be a perfect fit in Jersey. However, the late rumor Tuesday was the Nets considering Darius Miles at No. 1. Obviously, if that happens the entire lottery could be thrown out of whack.
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| 2. GRIZZLIES |
SELECTION |
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PF Stromile Swift, 6-9, So., LSU
Stromile Swift won't make a face when his name is called by Stern. He told me Tuesday he wants to go to the Grizzlies and expects to go behind Martin. This may be the safest pick
in the draft. The Grizzlies are jumping at the chance to take a player who
wants to go to Vancouver. Dick Versace and Co. were thrilled with his
leaping ability during workouts and are salivating over having him in the
lineup with Shareef Abdur-Rahim. |
Moderator: Let's take a user question. Here's one from Roger of Olathe, Kan.: How and why would anyone select Stromile Swift over Marcus Fizer. Fizer dominated the Big 12 all the way. As a junior he faced them all. Mihm, Chenowith, the senior leadership of Oklahoma St. and he won all of these matchups. I understand Kenyon but I don't get Stromile.
 Answer from Katz: The reason is, this draft -- like most drafts -- is based on potential, not strictly on past performance. It doesn't matter if Fizer won a one-on-one matchup with Swift -- NBA teams look at Swift as a potential star, and one that they can develop into even more of an offensive threat.
| 3. CLIPPERS |
SELECTION |
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SF Darius Miles, 6-9, H.S., East St. Louis (Ill.)
The word Tuesday had the Clippers taking Miles and then trading him to
Orlando for at least the Magic's No. 5 and No. 10 picks. For the purposes
of this mock draft, we're going to go along with the trade. The Magic covet
Miles and can't see him lasting until No. 5. Miles told us Tuesday that he
could see playing for Doc Rivers. He also said he wouldn't mind being a
Clipper. Miles' practice partner, Quentin Richardson, said he had been told
Miles would go top three. Miles thinks he'll be at least top four. The only
thing that doesn't appear to be truthful is Miles' height -- he's definitely
shorter than Swift, maybe two inches. |
| 4. BULLS |
SELECTION |
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C Chris Mihm, 7-0, Jr., Texas
The Bulls wanted Mihm and they can get him either at No. 4 or No. 7. If Miles goes at No. 3, the Bulls will go big and take Mihm. If Iowa State's Marcus Fizer goes at No. 3, then the
Bulls will take Miles and hope to get Mihm at No. 7. Mihm is still the best
low-post center in the draft. The Bulls need a low-post presence with one of
their top two picks. Mihm told me Tuesday he doesn't think he would be
around at No. 7. If Miles goes to No. 3, he'll be a lock at No. 4. |
Moderator: Time for another question -- this one's from Marty Griffith in Georgetown, Texas.: Taking Chris Mihm in the first round brings back memories of another 7-footer along the lines of Mihm, that being Jon Koncak. What does Mihm have that Koncak did not have?
Answer from Katz: Mihm has more refined offensive skills at this point in his career. He has quicker feet and more moves. He's also coming in at a time when centers are rare. That's why he's getting even more buzz than Koncak even though he was a high pick, too. Koncak had a productive career but Mihm has the potential (there's that word) to be more offensive-minded than Koncak.
| 5. MAGIC |
SELECTION |
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PF Marcus Fizer, 6-8, Jr., Iowa State
This pick would be traded
to the Clippers under our present scenario. The Clippers need a power player
inside and Fizer fits the criteria. If the Magic were to keep the pick, then
Fizer would answer the need inside. Fizer is confident that he can step out
and play some small forward if needed to. He'll have to defend both
small and power forwards. |
| 6. HAWKS |
SELECTION |
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SF Mike Miller, 6-8, So., Florida
The Hawks are down to either Miller or Cincinnati's DerMarr Johnson. If they have the choice of both, the
Hawks will go with Miller. In the short term, Miller gives them more
versatility and scoring and a more mature player. In the long term, Johnson
could become a bigger star. Miller and Johnson both fit in with Pete Babcock
and Lon Kruger. The Hawks need scoring and a player who won't flake out on
them. |
| 7. BULLS |
SELECTION |
|
SG DerMarr Johnson, 6-9, Fr., Cincinnati
The Bulls have an interesting choice if the draft unfolds like this. They can go with Johnson,
Fresno State shooting guard Courtney Alexander or Michigan point guard Jamal
Crawford. Johnson has been too hot the past week to slip past No. 7. He
would fit in with the Bulls in their overhaul. He has star potential and
gives the Bulls the type of versatile wing they covet. |
| 8. CAVALIERS |
SELECTION |
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SG Courtney Alexander, 6-5, Sr., Fresno State
The Cavaliers' trade Tuesday for Robert Traylor and J.R. Reid (from the Bucks in a
three-way deal that sent Bob Sura to Golden State from Cleveland, Vinny Del
Negro from Milwaukee to Golden State and Jason Caffey and Billy Owens from
Golden State to Milwaukee) allows the Cavs to take a perimeter player. The
word from Jim Paxson all week had been a tendency to go perimeter. Johnson,
Alexander and DePaul's Quentin Richardson are the top choices. But the
Cavaliers need a break-out scorer and no one is more ready to contribute
than Alexander. With this pick, the Trajan Langdon experiment may be coming
to an abrupt end. |
Moderator: It's question time again. David Stamps of Framingham, Mass. wants to know: Why do GM`s and the like put so much emphasis on pre-draft camps? I guess the two or three years they see a guy play means nothing.
Answer from Katz: It's not that two or three years in college don't mean anything, but rather the last impression takes on more importance the closer to the draft. Players are put into a pressure situation in front of a team's entire staff and that can end up being a huge factor in the decision-making process.
| 9. ROCKETS |
SELECTION |
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PF Jerome Moiso, 6-10, So., UCLA
The Rockets originally coveted Johnson, Miller and Alexander but have turned their attention to Moiso. He
told me Tuesday that he thought his workout at Houston was one of his best.
The Rockets must agree. The word is out that they will take him if he's on
the board. Cleveland could still shock everyone and go big one pick earlier with Moiso but that would go against Tuesday's trade. Moiso is a skilled forward who can play small forward, power forward or even center, depending on the
matchup. |
| 10. MAGIC |
SELECTION |
|
PG Keyon Dooling, 6-3, So., Missouri
Under our present
scenario, this pick would be traded to the Clippers. Los Angeles was looking
for a point guard at No. 18 but would love to get one at No. 10. Dooling has
skyrocketed during the past two weeks and has become top 10 material. Even
if the Magic were to keep the pick, Dooling is ahead of Crawford, Michigan
State's Mateen Cleaves and Erick Barkley of St. John's. The Magic can use a
point if they have to keep the pick at No. 10. |
Moderator: Another question, this one from MizzouFan from Columbia, Mo.: Watching Keyon Dooling play at every home game over the last two years, it's hard to imagine him being drafted at all. He is extremely inconsistent, plays with little or no heart, and never took over a game that mattered. I can't imagine that someone who barely handled the guards at Baylor and Colorado, and choked against North Carolina would have much of an impact in the NBA. What do you feel his assets are that make him such a high pick?
Answer from Katz: You maybe right on your assessment on Dooling. But the bottom line is he worked out well for teams in the past two weeks. He's also a big point guard, which NBA teams covet. They see Jalen Rose and Kobe Bryant as big guards who can handle the ball. Dooling isn't Rose or Bryant but he's got size over Mateen Cleaves and Speedy Claxton. Remember, this draft is on potential, not necessarily on college performance.
| 11. CELTICS |
SELECTION |
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C Joel Przybilla, 7-0, So., Minnesota
A battle is ensuing in the Celtics' war room. The Celtics top choices are Dooling and Moiso. But
both are gone. Plan C is to go with one of three players -- Przybilla,
Quentin Richardson or DeShawn Stevenson. At least two of the three powers
with the Celtics want to take the gamble with Stevenson. Coach and czar Rick
Pitino has to be convinced that it's the right call. If he shies away from
Stevenson and Przybilla is still on the board, the Celtics may be compelled to go
with the big man they originally thought they needed when the draft process
started. It's too early to tell if Pitino will have the guts to take
Stevenson at No. 11. |
| 12. MAVERICKS |
SELECTION |
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PF Etan Thomas, 6-9, Sr., Syracuse
The Mavericks could go a number of ways with this pick. They would like to get Dooling but he would
be gone at No. 10. Przybilla would be an option, but he'll likely be gone.
They wanted to check out Crawford but he never made a visit. Two foreign
players are potential picks in Olumide Oyedeji and Iakovos Tsakalidis. But
the Mavericks need a player who can rebound and contribute next season. If
Thomas is available, he fits their most pressing needs.
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| 13. MAGIC |
SELECTION |
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SG Quentin Richardson, 6-6, So., DePaul
The Magic may end up shipping this pick to the Clippers if they don't trade the No. 5 and 10 picks. But
if they do keep 13 and get Miles via a trade at No. 3, they won't pass on Richardson here. Richardson's representatives see him climbing into the top 10. But they also wouldn't complain if Orlando gets him, regardless of which pick
the Magic use. Richardson would love to play for Doc Rivers. The
potential of having Miles and Richardson to go along with a potential free
agent windfall -- Tim Duncan or Tracy McGrady or Grant Hill or Eddie Jones -- could
make the Magic one of the top teams in the East. The sleeper with this pick
is high school shooting guard DeShawn Stevenson.
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| 14. PISTONS |
SELECTION |
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PG Jamal Crawford, 6-6, Fr., Michigan
No player has been pacing here in Minneapolis as much as Crawford. He's a wreck. He's hearing his name
all over the place and doesn't know what to believe. Well, he can be assured
after talking to the Pistons and Joe Dumars that he's ahead of Mateen
Cleaves on their list of point guards. The Pistons have Dooling and Crawford as their top two point
guards. If Crawford is available he won't get past the Pistons. He has a local hook (playing for the Wolverines) and in fact is closer to the Palace than Cleaves, even if Cleaves is a true Michigander.
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Moderator: We're an hour into the mock draft and still going strong. Another question: Kyle Elston of Elmira, N.Y., asks: The knock on this year's draft, like many of the past drafts, is that it's not deep with talent. But with players like Speedy Claxton, Morris Peterson and Jamaal Magloire expected to be available late in the first round, I disagree. What are your thoughts?
The Milwaukee Bucks are on the clock with the No. 15 pick.?
Answer from Katz: I disagree with the consensus but agree with you. The draft is deep with talented players who will have careers in the NBA lasting for five to 10 years or beyond. You're right about Claxton, Peterson, Magloire -- and add Courtney Alexander, too. The draft has players who can work their way into quality time next season. The draft is being billed as having potential, but that's potential to contribute.
| 15. BUCKS |
SELECTION |
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SF Desmond Mason, 6-6, Sr., Oklahoma State
The Bucks can go a number of different ways after making Tuesday's trade. Getting Jason Caffey
and Billy Owens means they don't have to go with a big man or a true
rebounder. But they do need more athleticism on the wing and a scorer. They
are enamored with Mason and if he's on the board, which he should be at No.
15, they'll grab him. Morris Peterson is a possibility, but Mason may be too
intriguing -- and a better defender -- for the Bucks to pass on him at this stage.
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| 16. KINGS |
SELECTION |
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SF Morris Peterson, 6-7, Sr., Michigan State
The Kings need help on the wing and Peterson is the best available option. He's a scorer who still needs to work on his ballhandling, but he can stroke the deep 3-pointer. Once again, a threat to upset this pick is DeShawn Stevenson. The Kings
were pleased with Stevenson's workout but may not be ready to pass on
Peterson's experience and maturity for a team that's already playoff
caliber.
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| 17. SONICS |
SELECTION |
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C Mamadou N'Diaye, 7-0, Sr., Auburn
The Sonics want to go big but were willing to go with the top athlete if Mason were on the board.
N'Diaye makes sense in Seattle because he gives them the type of player
they're lacking -- a lanky, shot-blocking true center. The Sonics' power
players -- Vin Baker and Horace Grant -- can't block shots like N'Diaye. He's
still an offensive work in progress but the Sonics can wait for him to
develop.
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| 18. CLIPPERS |
SELECTION |
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PG Mateen Cleaves, 6-2, Sr., Michigan State
Cleaves will slip if the Magic and Pistons pass on him at 13 and 14. Under
our scenario of a Clippers trade with the Magic, this pick would be shipped
either to Orlando or to someone else (still to be determined). The Clippers
wouldn't need to take both Dooling and Cleaves. If for some reason the trade
doesn't occur, taking Cleaves is still OK for the Clippers. They could use
an experienced point guard on a team that is devoid of playmaking
leadership. After not receiving an invitation last week, Cleaves ended up appearing at Tuesday's draft news conference
and will be in the Green Room on Wednesday. He replaced Duke's Chris Carrawell.
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Moderator: Mateen Cleaves has been a popular topic of user questions. Now that he's been picked in our mock draft, Jerry Otradovsky of Omaha, Neb. asked: Is Mateen Cleaves really that good? I like his heart, don't get me wrong. But I don't see him as an NBA guard. What does he have that a guy like Andre Woolridge (from Iowa, not drafted) doesn't?
Answer from Katz: Cleaves is more of a leader than Woolridge. He's got more pizzazz and star quality, suggesting he can last longer in the NBA. He has the desire and work ethic to become a better shooter. I can see your point and so do some NBA teams -- but he won't fall out of the first round.
| 19. HORNETS |
SELECTION |
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C Jamaal Magloire, 6-11, Sr., Kentucky
The consensus for weeks has been Duke's Chris Carrawell going to the Hornets. Maybe something
happened, because Carrawell didn't end up showing here in Minneapolis. If the
Hornets pass on Carrawell, he might just slip out of the first round. A source
close to Carrawell said he has been told he could go in the early 30s in the
second round. The Hornets were thrilled with Magloire's workout and want a
power player in the post.
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| 20. 76ERS |
SELECTION |
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SF Hidayet Turkoglu, 6-8, Turkey
The Sixers may think about Carrawell but are more inclined to go with a scorer and defender.
Turkoglu worked out well for Larry Brown and was promised to be in the first
round. If he wasn't, he would have taken his name out of the draft. A number
of teams were called about Turkoglu in the final days before the June 21
early-entry deadline. Someone promised Turkoglu that he would be in the
first round and the consensus is Philadelphia.
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| 21. RAPTORS |
SELECTION |
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PG Craig "Speedy" Claxton, 5-11, Sr., Hofstra.
The Raptors could go with either Claxton or Erick Barkley with this pick. They need a point guard
but have some interest in Carrawell, too. The favorite seems to be Claxton.
He's more experienced and could fit in well with Lenny Wilkens and his
staff. The Raptors are ready to go further in the playoffs and don't have
time to develop another player.
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| 22. KNICKS |
SELECTION |
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PF Donnell Harvey, 6-8, Fr., Florida.
The Knicks have interest in Magloire but under our current draft he'll be gone. Harvey makes the most
sense. He's a rebounding machine and has the type of work ethic that Jeff
Van Gundy demands. Harvey can replace Kurt Thomas right now, making the re-signing of Thomas a moot point. If Harvey slips past New York, he could slide out of the first round.
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Moderator: Time for another question. Sam Roybal of Albuquerque, N.M. asked: What about the four teams that don't have first-round picks -- San Antonio, Washington, Miami, Minnesota and Golden State? Is anyone looking to trade up? What about second-round picks?
Answer from Katz: The Spurs better concentrate on trying to re-sign Tim Duncan. If they can do that, they don't need to worry about getting something deep in this draft. San Antonio could still get a decent player at No. 41 in the second round. There could be a few guards, maybe even a point, available high in the second round. Washington has salary cap issues, but the Wizards will get a high-profile college player at No. 35. Don't be surprised to see a player like Lavor Postell available. The Wizards may end up with a player who can stick on their roster that high in the second.
Miami needs to get a point guard in case they don't re-sign Tim Hardaway and/or Anthony Carter. The Heat could trade up in the second from No. 52 to snag someone like Khalid El-Amin, Scoonie Penn, A.J. Guyton, Eddie House or Eddie Gill. Minnesota may need to trade up from No. 51 to get a player to replace the scoring lost due to the tragic death of Malik Sealy. Free agency is another option. But the Wolves may not be able to do much in this draft. Golden State got healthy by adding a veteran point in Vinny Del Negro and a shooting guard in Bob Sura with Tuesday's trade. The Warriors still have a pick at No. 55 and could take a foreign player that they leave overseas. Getting a player who will stick at No. 55 from this country is unlikely.
| 23. JAZZ |
SELECTION |
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SG DeShawn Stevenson, 6-5, HS, Washington Union (Fresno, Calif.)
The Jazz would be going against their normal practice by taking a high
school senior. But they were enthralled with Stevenson's workout. If he
doesn't go to the Magic, Celtics or Kings, Stevenson won't get past the
Jazz. They need to upgrade their athleticism on the wing and could use
another scoring guard with Jeff Hornacek retiring. If the Jazz don't have
Stevenson as an option, look for them to go big with one of the remaining
power players.
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| 24. BULLS |
SELECTION |
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SG Erick Barkley, 6-1, So., St. John's
The Bulls have to get a point guard with one of their three first-round picks. Barkley would be the
last available point of the big five. Barkley would fit in well in Chicago
where he could have the latitude to push the ball and feed newcomers like
Johnson and Mihm and players like Ron Artest and Elton Brand. He's still a
bit wild on the court but Tim Floyd has tamed plenty of point guards in the
past.
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Moderator: Steve Javors of Brooklyn, N.Y. wants to know: Do you think Erick Barkley made the wrong decision by coming out early? This year's crop of point guards features players with many individual skills, but not many with the total package. If he waited another year do you think he might have possibly been drafted higher since most experts agree Crawford, Dooling and possibly Claxton will be gone by the late teens?
Answer from Katz: There's no question that Barkley should have stayed in school. We have him at the bottom of the first round. Barkley was tired of the NCAA mess and it could have gotten worse, so he might not have had much choice in the matter. But he would have made himself more money later on down the road had he stayed in school.
| 25. SUNS |
SELECTION |
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SF Hanno Möttölä, 6-9, Sr., Utah
The Suns could go for a big man and have someone push Luc Longley, take a slasher like Carrawell or go
with a skilled shooting forward. The consensus in Minneapolis is that they
would not pass on Möttölä if he's available. Möttölä could go to Utah but is
more likely to slip a few spots. Rex Chapman's potential retirement means
they'll need another scoring wing. Möttölä can score like a guard but can
defend in the post.
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Moderator: Every year, fans are left scratching their heads when college stars slip out of the first round. Chris Porter's future is a hot topic among users, so we'll take a question on the Auburn star from Donnyblue of Tacoma, Wash.: Why was Chris Porter a lottery pick last year, but not even first round this year?
Answer from Katz: Unfortunately, we in the media tend to use the term "lottery" loosely with players too early. Porter looked like he had lottery written all over him because of his ability to jam and run the floor like a deer as a junior. But when it comes down to his NBA skills, he's still an undersized power forward, or a small forward without the ballhandling skills. I've received plenty of e-mails on Porter, probably more than any other player, but I'm simply reporting what the NBA scouts and GMs think of him. He's a second-round pick who may be better suited to get his NBA game going in the CBA for a year.
| 26. NUGGETS |
SELECTION |
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PF Olumide Oyedeji, 6-10, DJK Wurzburg
The Nuggets want to go big with this pick and grab a rebounding, power player. They have interest
in Möttölä and if he were available, they would think hard about taking him.
But the consensus from Denver is to go big. Well, Magloire is gone and so is N'Diaye. Taking Iavokos Tsakalidis is too much of a risk. Oyedeji's representatives told me Tuesday that Denver is high on him. Oyedeji may not be ready to last more
than a few minutes at a time, but when he's in the game, he can be a
productive, rebounding forward.
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| 27. PACERS |
SELECTION |
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C Jason Collier, 7-0, Sr., Georgia Tech
The Pacers brought Collier back for a final, second workout Tuesday. Seeing him again this
close to the draft should indicate that he's high on the Pacers' list. Rik
Smits' future is cloudy at best. Collier gives the Pacers a low-post threat
who can also shoot the perimeter shots like Smits. He has quicker feet (who doesn't?) and
would be a better fit here than any of the foreign centers still on the
board.
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Moderator: We're almost done with the first round, which means by now you're probably turning your attention to those second-round sleepers. Chris Stecker of Alpharetta, Ga. wants to know: Who are is the most underrated player in this year's draft ?
Answer from Katz: Two of the more underrated players in this draft are Oklahoma State's Desmond Mason and Kentucky's Jamaal Magloire, but they'll definitely go in the first round. St. John's Lavor Postell has first-round potential but may be caught in a numbers game and could get squeezed out of the first round. Whoever gets him in the second round has landed a solid player capable of playing tough defense and causing havoc on the offensive glass.
| 28. BLAZERS |
SELECTION |
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C Iakovos Tsakalidis, 7-1, AEK Greece
Tsakalidis has officially become the hardest player to place in this draft. Some team, or
Tsakalidis himself, will have to pay a portion or all of a $1 million buyout to
get him out of his contract. If Cleveland, Boston, Dallas and Seattle all
pass on Tsakalidis, the obvious choice to take him becomes Portland. The Blazers
can afford to let Tsakalidis play in Greece for another season. If they
don't take him or he's not available, they'll probably go foreign with
either 7-foot Slovenian Primoz Brezec or 7-2 Cincinnati Stuff center
Soumaila Samake (a native of the Republic of Mali in West Africa).
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| 29. LAKERS |
SELECTION |
 |
PF
Mark Madsen, 6-9, Sr., Stanford
The Lakers' top choices are Mason (who won't be available unless they trade up), Möttölä (who probably will also be gone), Stevenson (unlikely he'll last this long) and Madsen. In our mock draft, Madsen
is right there for the taking. He can give the Lakers another banger inside
next to Shaquille O'Neal. Madsen loves to get busy underneath for rebounds.
He'll be a perfect locker room guy who won't mess with the chemistry of a
championship team. Jerry West loves him. Phil Jackson and Madsen could have
plenty of intellectual discussions, too.
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Moderator: And that brings an end to our 2000 mock draft. Thanks to all those who submitted questions (we received over 3,500), and we're sorry we couldn't get to more. Good night.
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